Dr. Lesley Sawa
Dr. Lesley Sawa graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1992. Her initial career was in mixed animal practice in St. Jacob’s, Ontario. She moved on to a 24-hour emergency practice, first in downtown Toronto and then in Calgary, Alberta where she also worked as a locum. In 1997, Dr. Sawa settled in Regina, Saskatchewan where she joined the Animal Clinic of Regina as an associate. In 2008, Dr. Sawa became a partner in the practice and subsequently took over as the sole owner of the clinic in 2010.
A general small animal practitioner, Dr. Sawa performs many types of scope procedures including laparoscopic surgeries. She has extensive experience in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation. Inspired by an interest in the provision of service to remote northern communities of Saskatchewan, for the past fifteen years Dr. Sawa has led spay/neuter programs in areas where there is no regular access to veterinary care.
Dr. Sawa is an active member of the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) and served as council president in 2017–2018. She has received a Meritorious Service Award and Veterinarian of the Year Award from the SVMA in recognition of her significant contribution to the profession in Saskatchewan. She is well-known to Regina radio and TV audiences for her regular appearances to provide expert opinion and promote public understanding of a variety of veterinary topics.
In addition to mentoring new professionals, Dr. Sawa is active in supporting international veterinarians wishing to practice in Canada. Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Sawa sits on a variety of boards that promote arts and women’s empowerment.
Dr. Jennifer Jinks
Dr. Jinks graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 2001. Shortly after graduation, she set off for adventure to work in a mixed animal practice in the Yukon, where emergency calls could range anywhere from a horse with colic to a dog hit by a snowmobile. After three years in the land of the midnight sun, Dr. Jinks spent a year working in a small animal practice in New Brunswick. In 2006, she returned to her Saskatchewan roots to join our veterinary team. Since joining the Animal Clinic of Regina, Dr. Jinks has taken additional training in small animal ultrasound. She and her husband live on an acreage near Fort Qu’appelle with their dogs Trevor and Kluane.
Dr. Diana Durling
Dr. Durling lets no moss grow under her feet! Aside from working at the Animal Clinic of Regina a couple days a week, she has her own mobile clinic, she and her husband work a farm east of town, and she sells the berries from her orchard at the Regina Farmer’s Market. She loves the diversity of the clientele and cases that come through the door at ACOR. There’s always something to challenge her mind.
Dr. Durling says that the best part of working here is the support she receives from the other vets and the technicians, which creates a better and more fun workplace. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her kids and cook with the food she grows on the farm.
Dr. Shrijana Dhakal
Graduating from Tribhuvan University in Nepal in 2006, Dr. Dhakal and her family came to Canada, where she worked for her certification of qualification for veterinary medicine. She appreciates the love each family has for their pet and enjoys seeing the smiles on their faces when the animal’s treatment is finished. She and her husband and their two daughters enjoy camping together when she’s not at work.